The South Pole is Earth’s last uninhabited outpost, and Greenpeace seeks to establish an Antarctic sanctuary of almost three-quarters of a million square miles in the Weddell Sea adjacent to the vast continent that would protect whales, penguins and other wildlife.

The nonprofit has called for governments to show greater vision and ambition. Frida Bengtsson, head of the Greenpeace Antarctic campaign, states, “Over the next 12 months, we have an opportunity to make history: to create an Antarctic Ocean sanctuary which would be the largest protected area on Earth.” She notes that it would also ensure healthier oceans that soak up carbon dioxide to moderate climate change.

The proposal, submitted by the European Union and promoted by the German government, will be considered in October by the governmental bodies responsible for managing the Antarctic marine environment. It follows the successful adoption of the Ross Sea sanctuary in 2016.